The time we spent in Asia consisted of lots of travel and meetings. We started our time there by attending the annual meeting of the Field Education Committee. Each region of the country sent a representative to this meeting and they made plans for the education of the children of the missionaries (MKs) field wide. Because many new missionaries are coming to Asia-Pacific in the next months, there is going to be a need for more support of the schooling options they choose to educate their children.
Right now there are over 60 preschoolers on the field and more coming. There are also well over a hundred school age children there with more on the way. Because of this, they are planning to open one-room school houses in two areas where there are no schools available. These will start as day schools but they hope to be able to supply a dorm option for those who need it. There was also talk of opening dorms in the locations where the large intermission schools are located. This may not be necessary in the next couple of years, but the need will be upon us sooner than we think. The need for teachers is an immediate concern and the one for dorm parents is only a little less pressing. Pray for this need!
While we were in Djakarta, we were able to visit with Arnie’s cousin Kristin and her family who are missionaries with SIL. It was fun to see them in their home and hear about their ministry. (I told you we have relatives everywhere!)
We spent many hours in airplanes and airports as we visited all but one of the areas where NTM works. We were able to visit two intermission schools, Mountain View International School and Hillcrest International School. We have students in both of these schools and teachers in one. Both schools are in need of teachers so there is another prayer request. Also, NTM would like to start dorms near both schools. If you are adding up the needs for dorm parents, we have just reached four couples and a fifth to cover for their times of home assignment. Since dorm parents are probably the hardest position to fill, this is a huge prayer request.
Continue to pray for us and our health and safety while we are in the Philippines and travel back home. We will be stopping in Nevada for Cathy’s dad’s memorial service and then on to Nebraska to spend Christmas with Scott, Lina and the grandchildren.
We are looking forward to that time and getting excited about Christmas even though it is hot and humid where we are now.
Our thoughts are with you and we hope you are enjoying the pre-Christmas season. It is one of our favorite times of the year.
Cathy’s tooth hasn’t hurt yet so keep praying about that also.
In Him,
Arnie and Cathy Sutton
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